Opinion

UH needs spirit for success

Jennifer Kelley
guest columnist

I am a new transfer student this semester. It hasnit taken me long to notice a few things about this campus and its morale and spirit. You see, I come from a place where school spirit runs wild through campus. This is quite a change, but I am glad I am here now. I really do like this place.

However, I think there are a few things that the student body can do to make this a more united and spirited campus. I hope what I have to say really sinks in. Even if only a few understand what I am saying, I feel I will have done something positive.

I read The Daily Cougar every day, and I have seen a few things that blow my mind. On the second day of class, I opened the paper and saw an article about traditions on campus ("Start-of-semester UH traditions," January 14). The examples given had to be scraped out of the bottom of a bucket. I think students on this campus need a definition of what a tradition really is. A tradition, the kind we're talking about, is an activity students -- and even faculty -- partake in that raises morale and school spirit. Lost freshmen and bad parking is far from a tradition. Spirit and tradition is definitely something UH is lacking. From experience, I am positive that a few traditions can help curb any lack of spirit. 

Again, on Thursday, January 16, I opened the paper to see another article ("Athletics loses $10.8 million") that shocked and even depressed me. Apparently Athletics has a $10.8 million deficit, and that was before poor attendance at this year's sporting events.

Has anyone ever thought the reason football and basketball havenit been up to par is because no one comes to watch them play? It floors me that A&M can fill a 70,000-seat stadium with its 44,000 students, but UH cannot fill a 32,000-seat stadium with its 35,000 students. Where are our alumni? Maybe our teams arenit as great as they have been before, but if people came out to see them, I bet they would be awesome in a season or two. Support boosts morale and thatis all our teams need to be great, because there is definitely no lack of talent. 

Wednesday I opened the paper and saw something that blew my mind for a third time. I was appalled to know someone ("Parking calls for a sacrifice," January 22) would actually dream of tearing down Robertson Stadium and our football team for the sake of convenience.

Yes, parking is an issue, but letis be reasonable: there are other options. Build a garage or build a park and ride. For goodness' sake, do not resort to tearing down what people put their heart into. That stadium is far from useless; it was put there for us. It is there so we can enjoy a Friday night football game. Obviously, there arenit many students who take advantage of their free football tickets. Personally I am excited about next season. I know coach Art Briles is going to do great things with our team. 

Now that I have pointed out everything I have noticed, I guess you are wondering what suggestions I may have. I am not suggesting a 50-foot bonfire or hexes on the rival teams. To be honest, I donit know what kind of traditions would suit this campus, but there has to be something. Maybe the Student Government Association can think of a few things and put them on a ballot.

For Athletics' financial problem I know exactly what can help that. We need to get out there and support our athletes. The last thing we need to do is tell our football team we would rather have parking spots than them.

So come on, y'all, lets make this place fun, spirited and, united. How you would feel if someone told you they would rather have some parking spots than what you put your heart and soul into?

Kelley, a freshman English major, can be reached via dccampus@mail.uh.edu.